Filmy4wap : The Greatest of All Time (The GOAT) Movie Filmy4wap Review
Cast: Vijay, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Sneha, Laila, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Ajmal Ameer, Mohan
Director: Venkat Prabhu
Producers: Kalpathi S. Aghoram, Kalpathi S. Ganesh, Kalpathi S. Suresh
Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Cinematography: Siddhartha Nuni
Editing: Venkat Raajen
Thalapathy Vijay’s latest film The Greatest of All Time (The GOAT), released in both Tamil and Telugu, has generated a decent amount of anticipation. Here’s a breakdown of the film’s strengths and weaknesses.
Plot Summary:
Gandhi (Vijay), a dedicated officer in the Special Anti-Terrorist Squad (SATS), successfully carries out a mission in Kenya to eliminate a notorious terrorist, Menon (Mohan). Years later, during a mission in Bangkok, Gandhi is devastated to find his son, Jeevan (also Vijay), dead. However, his life takes a shocking turn when he encounters Jeevan alive in Russia years later, and they return home together. Following their return, mysterious incidents involving SATS members start occurring, and Gandhi sets out to uncover the truth. Is Jeevan really his son? How is Menon connected to these events? These questions drive the mystery of the film.
Highlights:
Thalapathy Vijay excels in his dual roles as Gandhi and Jeevan, demonstrating his range as an actor. His portrayal of Jeevan, particularly in his villainous avatar, is especially gripping. Meanwhile, his calm and composed performance as Gandhi, coupled with a sophisticated salt-and-pepper look, gives the character a distinct presence. The contrast between the two roles is a testament to Vijay’s skill, and his performance stands out as the film’s biggest strength.
Supporting actors such as Prabhudeva, Jayaram, Prashanth, Mic Mohan, and Sneha, though limited in screen time, deliver decent performances. The confrontations between the two Vijay characters are well executed and keep the audience engaged. The action sequences are intense, and the climax, set against the backdrop of a live CSK cricket match, is a treat for fans despite its length.
Drawbacks:
The film follows a predictable storyline, despite director Venkat Prabhu’s promise of an unexpected screenplay. For those familiar with similar action-revenge dramas, the narrative lacks surprises. A more refined script could have elevated the overall impact.
The pacing in the first half is particularly slow, which may test the audience’s patience. While the second half gains momentum with intense face-off scenes, the overall length of the film feels unnecessarily stretched. Even Vijay’s strong performance can’t fully compensate for this drag.
There are several plot holes, especially in the action scenes, where the villains repeatedly miss their target—an all-too-common and frustrating trope in action movies.
Mohan’s portrayal of Menon lacks depth, making the villain less intimidating or impactful. Meenakshi Chaudhary’s role feels underused, with her presence limited to a few scenes and songs. Cameo appearances by Trisha and Sivakarthikeyan are a pleasant surprise, but they add little to the plot.
Some of the film’s attempts at humor fall flat, and the end credits sequence feels like a rehash of a failed Hollywood film.
Technical Aspects:
Venkat Prabhu’s direction and screenplay are the film’s weaker elements. The plot feels conventional, and the sluggish pacing, particularly in the first half, hinders the overall engagement. The film’s excessive runtime further detracts from its appeal.
On a positive note, the VFX team does a commendable job with the de-aging of Vijay, although some versions of the character feel awkward. Yuvan Shankar Raja’s music is underwhelming and doesn’t leave a lasting impact. Several scenes, especially in the first half, could have been trimmed to improve the pacing. The cinematography is serviceable, and the production values are strong.
Conclusion:
The Greatest of All Time (The GOAT) is a typical revenge drama that relies heavily on Vijay’s stellar performance in dual roles. His portrayal of Jeevan as a villain and the engaging face-off scenes are the movie’s standout moments. However, the predictable storyline, sluggish pacing, lengthy runtime, and several plot inconsistencies make it a difficult watch for anyone except Vijay’s most dedicated fans.